The British court decision shocked observers who believed the court would rule in favor of May’s right to begin Brexit after a referendum to do so passed 52 to 48 percent.

However, there is a majority in Parliament opposed to Brexit with opposition parties against it and about half of May’s own Tory Members of Parliament also opposing.

The new situation has huge ramifications for Ireland where the expected British withdrawal was expected to have massive economic consequences as well as impact the peace process by raising the issue of restoring physical borders with Northern Ireland.